Snap-switch-operating mechanism.



PATENTED AUG. 4, 1903.

W. G. TREGONING. SNAP SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 23, 1903.

N0 MODEL.

1 15 NORRIS PETERS ca. wnmmu-r Patented August 4, 1903.

ATENT FFI WILLIAM C. TREGONING, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO CHARLES G. PERKINS, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

SNAP-SWITCH-OPER-A'l'ING MECHANISM.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 735,317, dated August 4, 1903. Application filed April 23, 1903. Serial No. 153,948. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM C. TREGON- ING, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have-invented certain new and useful Improvements in Snap-S witch- Operating Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

Thisinvention relates to the construction of the movable parts-and the parts which retain the movable parts until the throwingspring has been given the necessary tension of a rotary snap-switch.

The object is to provide a simple and compact construction which is cheap to manufacture, easy to assemble, durable in use, and sure in action.

The handle-spindle of this switch has a plate with an eccentric slot and loose sleeve supporting a loose hub that carries the rotatory poles. The throwing-springis connected with the spindle and with the sleeve. In a box at the bottom of the sleeve is a transversely-movable bar having a stud that extends upwardly into the eccentric slot and a downwardly-extending lug that is adaptedto engage with and be disengaged from the teeth of a ratchet secured on the upperside of the base.

. Figure l of the drawings shows a side elevation of a switch which embodies the inven-' tion with the base and cover cut in section. Fig. 2 shows a plan of a part of the base. Fig. 3 shows the under side of the box on the sleeve, the plate on the spindle, and the bar in the box. Fig. A. shows a vertical section taken through the sleeve, box, plate, and bar; and Fig. 5 is a plan of the hub and movable poles.-

The base 1 of the switch may be made any common shape of insulating material and is provided with stationary terminal contacts 2, as usual. In an opening in the center of the base isa bushing, with a circular ratchet 3 fixed to its upper end. Supported by the bushing is a spindle 4, which has a handle 5. The sleeve 6 is loose upon the spindle. One end of the throwing-spring 7 is connected with a collar 8, fastened to the spindle, and the other end is connected with the sleeve. Fastened to the spindle below the sleeve is a plate 9 with an eccentric slot 10. In the box ll at the lower end of the sleeve and movable transversely of the spindle is a bar 12, which has a stud 13, projecting upwardly into the slot in the plate attached to the spindle, and a lug 14, which projects downwardly into the plane of the teeth on the ratchet secured to the base.

The tension of the spring on the spindle norgiven sufficient tension, at which time the lug is carried outwardly beyond the edge of the ratchettooth, allowing the spring to throw the sleeve and poles. As the sleeve is rotated the eccentric slot draws the slide in, so that the lug engages the next tooth of the ratchet. The exterior of the sleeve is rectangular, and upon this a rectangular hub is loosely placed. This hub is formed of two flanged tubes 15, which are riveted together, with insulating-washers 16 and the pole-plate 17 between the flanges. The rivets which hold the flanges together are also insulated, so that the pole-plate is insulated from the mechanism of the switch. This hub, with the pole-plate, is slipped on the sleeve and loosely held in place by a collar 18, so that the poles willnot bind in the stationary contacts. The transversely-movable bar in the box at the bottom of the sleeve is strong and is fii'inlyheld near its ends, so that it will move easily in the box when the spindle is turned. The plate with the eccentric slot, which is easily stamped to shape, is strong, so that it will not break down or unduly Wear. The movement of the bar is so great that the ratchet-teeth may be made so that they will not wear out or break oft. The pole-hub is simple to make, easily placed in or removed from position, and the movement of the hub on the sleeve allows for any irregularities of construction.

I claim as my invention 1 1. An electric switch having a base with stationary terminal contacts and external ratchet-teeth, a handle-spindle rotarily supported by the base, a plate with an eccentric slot fixed to the spindle, a sleeve loosely mounted on the spindle between the plate and the handle, a spring connecting the secured to and insulated trom the hub, sub- 15 stantially as specified.

2. In combination with a sleeve mounted upon the handle-spindle of a rotary snapswitch, a hub consisting'of two tubes that loosely fit the sleeve and have outwardly-ex- 2o tending flanges that are riveted together face to face with a pole-plate and insulating-disks between, substantially as specified.

WILLIAM C. TREGONING.

\Vitnesses:

HARRY R. WILLIAMS, ETHEL M. LOWE. 

